Last month, St Columba’s College celebrated the blessing and official opening of its brand new Foxford Innovation Centre. The state-of-the-art facility is the result of a 20-year vision, designed to transform educational opportunities for students through a focus on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education. Supported by a $13 million loan from CDF, the Centre blends modern innovation with the heritage architecture of the College campus; it features cutting-edge facilities, including food technology kitchens, maker spaces, arts and science classrooms, specialist labs, a canteen, and a competition-grade sports court. The Centre is named after the Foxford Woollen Mills in Ireland, honouring the legacy of Mother Agnes Morrogh-Bernard, a Sister of Charity who founded the mills in 1892. Her vision and leadership transformed a struggling community, embodying the values of innovation, inclusivity, and collaboration.

In Clyde North, a new chapter in Catholic education has begun with the recent opening of St Josephine Bakhita Catholic Primary School . As the second primary school within the Parish of St Thomas the Apostle and the 39th operated by Diocese of Sale Catholic Education Ltd (DOSCEL) , this school was built in response to the growing need for quality, faith-based education in an area experiencing rapid residential development. Recognising this need, Catholic education leaders, in collaboration with parish and community stakeholders came together to create a school that would serve local families. The chosen location in the Five Farms residential estate was ideal due to its modern infrastructure, transport links, and potential for future expansion as the community grows. The school is built on a clear vision ‘ to provide a safe and inclusive environment where students can learn and grow both academically and spiritually ’. The story of St Josephine Bakhita, the first contemporary female saint from Africa who overcame severe hardships to become a symbol of resilience and compassion, is an important part of the school’s identity. Her words , “The Lord had loved me so much: we must love everyone…we must be compassionate,” serve as a daily reminder of the values the school aims to instill.

For over two decades, CDF has directly supported the next generation of Catholic leaders through the Father James Wall Bursary . The award, established in honour of CDF’s founder, Father James ‘Jim’ Wall, continues his legacy of fostering faith, leadership, and service within our Catholic school communities. Each year, seven Year 10 students from across the Archdiocese of Melbourne and the Dioceses of Sale, Bunbury, and Ballarat are recognised for their outstanding contributions to their schools and communities. The bursary provides each recipient with $5,000 to support their Year 11 and 12 school fees, helping the students continue their education journey in a Catholic secondary school. This year seven remarkable students, who embody the values of service, commitment, and faith-filled leadership were celebrated at school presentation ceremonies across the country. Notably, this year marks another milestone for the bursary as CDF extended the award to the Diocese of Ballarat.

On the third floor of the MacKillop Senior Centre at Saint Ignatius College Drysdale, on the Bellarine Peninsula, a small group of students take up positions in a comfortable alcove outside the main classrooms. Some pull tables together and spread-out folders and books, others face each other in pairs in animated discussion, while others work in contented independence on their laptops. The centre, completed in March 2024, and its many well-designed informal and formal learning spaces, is part of a broader vision that helps achieve the college’s mission to provide the best quality co-educational Catholic education in the Geelong region. “It’s a beacon of opportunity and collaboration”, says College Principal Michael Exton.

At the heart of the vibrant South West region of Western Australia, a special event unfolded on May 9, 2024, that showcased the beauty of unity, culture, and community spirit. St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Bunbury emerged victorious in the CDF Wardandi Gift, held on the grounds of Bunbury Catholic College . Created in 2023 to celebrate Bunbury Catholic College’s 50th anniversary, this year’s event was a wonderful culmination of hard work by college event coordinator Michael Chappel and Indigenous Student Coordinator Tobie Watson.  The CDF Wardandi Gift was more than just a relay race. It was a celebration that brought together approximately 200 students from five primary schools: St Mary’s and St Joseph’s Catholic Primary Schools in Bunbury , Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School in Dardanup , St Mary’s Primary School in Donnybrook , and Djidi Djidi Aboriginal School in Bunbury . These schools gathered on Albert Oval for a day filled with activities that honored Aboriginal culture. The event was not just a celebration of culture, but also a reflection of Catholic values. It emphasised the importance of community, respect, and inclusivity, core tenets of our faith. As Pope Francis often reminds us , "The Church is a community of those who have encountered Jesus Christ and have made a commitment to follow him." The CDF Wardandi Gift embodied this spirit of community and commitment. It was a day where many came together to honor the rich cultural heritage of our Aboriginal brothers and sisters, recognising the divine presence in every culture and tradition.

A long-held dream to have a dedicated space fostering community, faith and excellence in the arts has been realised at St Patrick’s College Ballarat in regional Victoria. The College officially opened its state-of-the-art Performing Arts Centre on Monday 29 April 2024, heralding a vibrant new chapter of education at the College. The $20 million facility was brought to fruition with the financial support of CDF. A partnership between St Patrick’s College and CDF that is rooted in shared values and a vision for holistic education. St Patrick’s College Business Manager, Andrew Jirik said the new Performing Arts Centre, which features an 800-seat auditorium with cutting-edge theatre and AV technologies, Black Box Theatre, Ensemble, Percussion and Band Rooms, and five individual tuition studios, represented the single biggest investment in the arts in the College’s history.

In education, investment in infrastructure and facilities can profoundly shape the learning experience for students and educators. Padua College , nestled in the beautiful Mornington Peninsula, has been on a journey to offer the community not only state-of-the-art facilities but also a place for community and spiritual growth. The College's journey of transformation owes much to funding provided by Catholic Development Fund (CDF), allowing the College to continue to modernise and grow. Recently, Padua College marked a significant milestone with the official opening and blessing of its Coolock Learning Centre for students in years 7 and 8. The $17 million project, realised with the support of CDF, underscores the College's dedication to nurturing young minds. Inspired by the principles of Catherine McAuley, founder of the Sisters of Mercy, the Coolock Learning Centre is more than just a building; it's a testament to collaborative learning, innovation, and digital literacy, preparing students for the challenges ahead.

Pictured: Bede and his mother with Brendan Hoy; CDF GM Client Services and Aaron Gupta; CDF Relationship Manager.

Mandurah Catholic College – set amongst 12 hectares of natural bushland in the coastal suburb of Mandurah in the Peel Region, south of Perth – has recently undergone a transformative change with the completion of its Stage 19 capital development plan.